Fans Say Goodbye To Aretha Franklin: Photos And Video From The Queen Of Soul’s Public Viewing

Aretha Franklin‘s two-day public viewing began Tuesday in Detroit and, of course, throngs of people showed to up to pay their respects. Hundreds, if not thousands of people reportedly lined up for the gospel-infused viewing at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Accompanied by the sound of her gospel music, Franklin was laying in a gold-plated casket and dressed in red from head to high-heeled shoes, with her legs crossed at the ankles.

PAYING ‘RESPECT’: Hundreds lined up to honor Aretha Franklin at a public viewing at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, with the “Queen of Soul” in a gold-plated casket dressed in all red, including her high-heeled pumps. https://t.co/DmYHbK0yGtpic.twitter.com/ncl1w7oLZY

“What we wanted to do is be reflective of the Queen,” museum board member Kelly Major Green said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s beautiful. She’s beautiful.”

The 18-time Grammy winner (44 nominations) who died Aug. 16 at the age of 76 was known for timeless hits like “Respect” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” She released her first album in 1956 at the age of 14, sold more than 75 million albums and become the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She was also the youngest person to receive a Kennedy Center Honor in 1994.

JUST IN: Pallbearers carrying gold casket arrive for Aretha Franklin's public viewing today and tomorrow in Detroit. Doors are set to open to at 9:00 a.m. (6:00 a.m. PT). #KOMOnewspic.twitter.com/1f0XThXGCG

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Aerial view shows line stretching around the block with fans and mourners waiting to pay their final respects to legendary singer Aretha Franklin, as her body lies in state at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. https://t.co/Q2P8ldK04ppic.twitter.com/8AsBRYL7u7

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It is 3 a.m. and people are already lined up outside of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History in Midtown Detroit to see the body of Aretha Franklin. I guess that includes me. But I’m a journalist. I don’t clock in, I don’t clock out. pic.twitter.com/FYnjPFJEbR